Ten years ago, investor and former molecular biologist Tom Tuttle was concerned by the lack of scientific research on chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, a rare, relatively unknown kidney cancer with poor outcomes and no effective treatments. After attending the annual kidney cancer symposium and dabbling in philanthropic support across the field, Tom met Elizabeth (Lisa) Henske, MD, a physician-scientist dedicated to solving rare diseases. A great partnership was born with Henske, who is actively investigating the root causes of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

Since then, Tom and his wife, Mila, have generously supported Henske’s research at the Brigham. Most recently, the couple committed $2 million, their largest gift yet to Henske’s lab. These resources will help expand research into the mechanism that drives the cancer cells’ growth and pursue promising treatment approaches.

“We have been incredibly impressed and thankful for the wonderful work that Lisa and her team have done to advance the research around chromophobe renal cell carcinoma,” says Tuttle. “This is a very significant gift for us and represents how serious we are about helping her team see their findings through to conclusion.”

Henske’s lab made the foundational discovery that chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is linked to extremely high levels of glutathione, one of the body’s major antioxidants. In 2022, the team found that blocking glutathione synthesis triggers a process that causes chromophobe cells to die without adverse effects on other tissues.

Now, Henske will use state-of-the-art approaches, including CRISPR genome screening and a cell profiling tool called CODEX, to leverage these discoveries into targeted therapies. The Tuttle family’s continued investment in these studies will help move the needle significantly in identifying new, effective treatments, potentially within the next few years.

“Tom and Mila have shown such leadership in helping to drive advances in the knowledge of this disease,” says Henske. “Because of their generosity, we can move quickly and maximize our impact. All of us in the lab feel the momentum growing, and it all began with their visionary support.”